Friday morning Mark took Jake to the DMACC career days for an automotive and diesel tour.. Although Jake is only in 8th grade, I wanted him to see what he could look forward too and motivate him in school. I was so glad that Mark wasn't in the field so he could be there. They had a great time and Mark said Jake was very enthused, he took it all in with a grin. He shook hands and told them that is where he plans to be. Part of the day the took a tour of a trucking company and got to see some engines and diesel mechanics.
Rodeo......Friday night was Jayden's first IRCA rodeo for the season. The forecast showed the high would be 27 and the low 14 along with wind. 2 years ago Jayden ran at the Horse Fair weekend opener and got so sick. She got chilled and that started her on a long road of joint pain and sickness. I was worried about her being out in the cold. The Iowa Horse Fair has a nice indoor arena pavilion to run in, however the only time you get to be inside is during your 14 second run. Wind gusts were in the 20mph range all day . Jayden and I left home at 4:30PM to get a good parking spot. The sun was out and the buildings around the fairgrounds blocked some of the wind, but it was cold. I was prepared this time. I had a basket in the truck with coveralls, snow pants, gloves, stocking caps, all the extras. I wore layers, long underwear, wool socks, warm mittens, and bought hand warmers. I stayed pretty warm. The rodeo started at 7:30. We kept Ace in the trailer until then. Jayden said Ace was feeling frisky. He was full of excess energy and ready to run. She tried warming him up to him feeling hoppy and wanting to run. She told me she was scared, so much so that she was worried. She didn't know how Ace would be, either he would do great or it could be a disaster. Jayden had to hand walk him until she was close to up in order to keep him calm. She ran 14th out of 15 in the performance. Ace ran in and had a great run, he wobbled the third barrel, luckily it didnt go over. The announcer said her time, a 14.44 and the fastest time of the night. She was so excited and so was I. We were on a cloud of excitement and happy as we drove home. It was a great feeling and Jayden needed to feel good about her runs. The thrill was short lived as the times got faster in slack and then again on Saturday night even faster. Jayden was quickly bumped out of the money. Such a bummer, we were all hopeful for her. On Saturday Jayden drove her freind Erica and Alex J. down to the rodeo and stayed for slack. It was 1Am when she got home and I stayed up watching a movie until she got home. I empathized with my mother who stayed up waiting for me to get home for years. It started when I was around age 15 until around 19. She had to of spent countless hours up waiting. I went out every Friday and Saturday night year round throughout high school. That was before I carried a cell phone. I cannot imagine. My poor mother, I had to have given her many grey hairs. Jayden has a phone and texted me updates.
Snowfall....Sunday, April 8th we are under a winter storm advisory and there is a band of snow from North Dakota down to southern Missouri. After church the snow and wind started and it fell all afternoon. Where are you spring!?
Comments